Watson's call for lifetime bans shows PGA Tour-LIV scars still run deep

Watson's call for lifetime bans shows PGA Tour-LIV scars still run deepImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Tom Watson, an honorary starter of the Masters alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, spoke in a news conference after Thursday's ceremonyByJonathan JurejkoBBC Sport golf reporterPublished11 minutes ago2 CommentsThere was a certain irony when Patrick Reed topped the leaderboard early on the opening day of the Masters.A LIV defector in the throes of returning to the PGA Tour, Reed's bolt came shortly after golfing legend Tom Watson sharply criticised the decision to allow him - and Brooks Koepka - back into the fold.Watson, an eight-time major winner and PGA Tour loyalist, believes those tempted away by the riches of the Saudi-backed LIV revolution should be forever ostracised.A lifetime ban is a punishment worthy of the perceived crime, he still believes."If I was commissioner, that's what I would do," said the 76-year-old American.Watson's denunciation shows the scars of golf's so-called civil war, which started in 2022 when LIV started luring star names away from the PGA Tour with enormous pots of cash, still run deep. Since the PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced in 2023 that they had agreed to a merger with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which bankrolls LIV, several olive branches have been offered and accepted - even if there is still no sign of the union coming to fruition.American pair Koepka and Reed being granted a return to the status quo of the US-based tour has been the latest piece of evidence - even if Watson does not agree with it.The Masters: Lowry, Fleetwood & McIlroy in early shake-up - follow liveFamily fun and holes-in-one - the Masters tradition crossing generationsPublished19 hours agoMasters - dates, tee times, favourites & how to follow on the BBCPublished1 day agoKoepka, 35, has been welcomed back to the PGA Tour after applying for reinstatement under a new 'Retur...